Locals savor opening of Rancho In-N-Out

Feb. 13, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Barbie Fowler, 70, who has worked for In-N-Out Burger for 18-years, greets a friend as he enters the new restaurant, which opened Wednesday in Rancho Santa Margarita. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The first customers to the new In-N-Out Burger in Rancho Santa Margarita enjoy the first meal in the restaurant. Pictured, from left, Tristan Olson, 23, and Larry Anderson, 24. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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In-N-Out Burger staff at the new restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita share a light moment before opening. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The first customers to the new In-N-Out Burger in Rancho Santa Margarita enjoy the first meal in the restaurant. Pictured, from left, Rob Gau, 23, Tristan Olson, 23, Larry Anderson, 24, and Ed Mosqueda, 52. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Rob Gau, 23, displays the In-N-Out Burger receipt with #1 to indicate he and his friends are the first customers to the new restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Barbie Fowler, 70, who has worked for In-N-Out Burger for 18-years, greets a friend as he enters the new restaurant, which opened Wednesday in Rancho Santa Margarita. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – It all began nine months ago when Tristan Olson got the news in a text message from his friend Rob Gau.

"God finally answered from the heavens," the message read. "In-N-Out is opening in RSM."

Looking at his phone, Olson had to do a double take. He dialed Gau's number to make sure the message was real.

Olson, 23, who was living in Rancho Santa Margarita at the time, used to drive seven miles each way just to go to In-N-Out Burger in Foothill Ranch.

"I did it too many times," he said.

Olson moved to Irvine in November, and although there are several In-N-Out restaurants near him, he said he couldn't miss the opening of the Rancho store.

"I grew up in RSM, and I wanted to be the first to eat at In-N-Out," he said. "I'll be looking at this 20 years from now and saying to my friends, 'Hey, remember when we all went to the grand opening of In-N-Out in RSM?'"

The wait was almost unbearable, Olson said, but it gave him the time to ensure he'd be at the restaurant Wednesday morning when the doors opened at 9 a.m.

Olson told his boss at Wells Fargo that he planned to be the first customer when In-N-Out opened in his hometown and asked in advance for the day off.

At 8:20 a.m., Olson, Gau, 23, of Coto de Caza and a third friend, Larry Anderson of Newport Beach, assembled in front of their beloved burger joint in Rancho. In-N-Out Director of New Stores Joel Dempsey told them they were the first customers and handed them wrist bands.

Meanwhile, Ed Mosqueda of Rancho Santa Margarita showed up.

Mosqueda, said he was passing by Tuesday night and saw people milling around the restaurant. He stopped and was told it was a private party for the employees and to show up the next morning. He did.

As they waited, Mosqueda, 52, and Anderson, 24, started chatting about the blue and white Dodgers baseball caps they each sported.

The group of three In-N-Out fans became four, though being the first customer wasn't a priority for Mosqueda.

"It's big fun," Mosqueda, a firefighter with the Orange County Fire Authority, said. "What a great way to start the day. I could've been off in the corner, but I made some friends."

While waiting to go in, Olson spotted a car in the drive-through and got just a bit nervous: "We were like, 'No way!' I didn't wait nine months to get cheated out of my spot."

The foursome was first, and when they entered the restaurant, Dempsey gave them each an In-N-Out T-shirt and a silver coin that can be exchanged for a burger. Dempsey also told them their first order would be on the house.

"When we're opening our doors and customers are waiting to get in, we don't take that for granted," Dempsey said.

The four sat together and ate their double-doubles and fries.

"A friend of mine said RSM is where restaurants come to die," Olson said, "but I think In-N-Out will live here forever."

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